ECE 350: Audio Amplifier Specifications

Component Constraints:

    Maximum Cost of All Components: $40

    Only Approved Component Sources: Jameco or Digi-Key

Physical Requirements:

    Maximum Height 5 inches

    Maximum Width 3 inches

    Maximum Depth 1 inch

    Maximum Weight 6 ounces

    The earphone connector, on/off switch and volume control must be on the top when unit is placed in a shirt pocket or clipped to a belt.

    The microphone and battery must be enclosed within the case.

    The case must be completely enclosed, except for microphone hole(s).

    Belt clip is optional.

    Maximum Operating Conditions:

        Temperature 10 degrees C to 40 degrees C

        Relative Humidity (Noncondensing) 10% to 80%

        Maximum Drop Height  0.05 m (No interruption)

        Vibration 1.25 g at 3 Hz (No interruption)

    Maximum Storage Conditions:

        Relative Humidity (Noncondensing) 10% to 90%

        Maximum Drop Height 0.1 m (No damage)

        Vibration 1.5 g at 3 Hz (No damage)

    Maximum Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) 100 hours (Really easy!)

    Maximum Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) 1 hour (This will influence your construction method.)

Proto-board construction is not acceptable. Use a permanent or semi-permanent construction method such as soldering on a printed circuit board or point-to-point soldering on a perforated board. An enclosure is required. The University will pay up to $40 for parts and materials that are ordered through the instructor.  In return, the power supply will become the property of the Computer Science & Engineering Department.  Be sure to order your parts early enough to complete the project.

A written functional description must be submitted that describes the design steps and circuit operation in sufficient detail to demonstrate your knowledge. It must be written at a college level and be free from spelling and grammar errors. Include calculations, schematic diagrams, assembly diagrams, and component data sheets as appropriate.

It must also explain how you verified that the amplifier meets, or exceeds, all of its specifications. The project must be explained and demonstrated in a class presentation.

The specific details of how to design the circuit will not be covered in class. Only general principles of amplifier design will be discussed in the course. You must research the specific details yourself. Do not simply copy another design. You must quantitatively show in your functional description how and why you selected each component. This will be impossible if you simply copy a design. If your design process is not sufficiently documented, thereby showing that you designed it yourself, you will receive a zero.

You must work as a 3-person team on this project. You will be graded on the skill level demonstrated by the design, the quality of construction, adherence to specifications (including correct operation), the comprehensiveness of the documentation, the team's project presentation, and your contribution to the team.